A brief YouTube monologue by Dr. Aziz advising viewers how to improve conversations and build deeper connections: the core tip is to voluntarily share specific, concrete information about yourself (rather than one-word answers or deflecting), which gives others "something to work with" and helps conversations progress. The speaker offers example responses (work project, recent activities, hobbies) to illustrate volunteering information.
Here's the one key thing that you can do today to become way better at talking to people, creating new connections, making deeper friendships. It's give people something to work with. I see this all the time with clients. We'll practice social interactions and I'll ask them a question about themselves, their life, or even just sit there silently seeing what they share with me. And there's not much Single word answers short sentences that often give the message, there's nothing going on with me. What about you? Ah, don't talk about me, let's talk about you. And as a result, people don't get to know you, you don't share much, and the conversation doesn't go anywh. So what do you do? Volunteer information. Someone says, how's it going? Say, I'm doing well, I got this work project I'm really focused on, or I'm really struggling with, or I'm excited about, or let me tell you about the day I just had, or this weekend I just went and didn't blank. Or you know what I'm really into right now? Windsurfing, which I'm not, but maybe you are right, so share something. Give them something to work with, volunteer it without waiting to be asked, and watch what happens.
